The Premier League fixtures announcement has thrown up some intriguing encounters on the opening weekend.
Nottingham Forest will mark their return with a trip to Newcastle, promoted Fulham take on Liverpool and West ham host champions Manchester City.
Here, the PA news agency looks at 10 of the most memorable first-day Premier League fixtures from previous years.
1992: Sheffield United 2 Manchester United 1
It’s Saturday 15th August 1992 – the day Brian Deane scored the first #PL goal…#PLMoments pic.twitter.com/QJGYVdSKDC
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 26, 2016
This game was not a classic like those below but it did feature the first Premier League goal. Brian Deane scored it, then won it for the hosts from the spot after Mark Hughes had levelled. Fortunes soon changed as Alex Ferguson’s side won the title and the Blades were relegated.
1994: Sheffield Wednesday 3 Tottenham 4
#OnThisDay 2️⃣7️⃣ years ago, the PL was introduced to Jurgen Klinsmann and ‘????’ celebration… pic.twitter.com/m1ulxTyyPi
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 20, 2021
This launched what was meant to be a continental new era for Spurs, with Jurgen Klinsmann leading the line after a move from Monaco. He delivered too, scoring and then performing one of the Premier League’s most memorable celebrations – a dive to live up to his reputation.
1996: Middlesbrough 3 Liverpool 3
1996: Wimbledon 0 Manchester United 3
A legendary #GoalOfTheDay ?
Take it away, David Beckham… pic.twitter.com/khscN2R1OM
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 8, 2021
David Beckham’s majestic lob from his own half triggered one of the English game’s most celebrated and high-profile careers. Beckham was a well-established prospect before he caught Neil Sullivan napping – but this goal certainly helped him make a name for himself.
2016: Hull 2 Leicester 1
? | When you’ve just beat the reigning #PL champions on the opening day of the season #Passion pic.twitter.com/qeN2AqObnL
— Hull City (@HullCity) August 13, 2016
Leicester became the first reigning Premier League champions to lose their opening game. Newly-promoted Hull suffered a chaotic summer, losing boss Steve Bruce and seeing fans protest at the Allam family’s ownership of the club – but they won with goals from Adama Diomande and Robert Snodgrass, either side of Riyad Mahrez’s penalty.
2016: Arsenal 3 Liverpool 4
2017: Arsenal 4 Leicester 3
Last time we played Leicester… ?
A @premierleague classic ?#LCFCvAFC pic.twitter.com/2HoxqzVlyk
— Arsenal (@Arsenal) May 9, 2018
The night started perfectly for Arsenal as new signing Alexandre Lacazette marked his league debut with a goal after just 94 seconds, only for Shinji Okazaki to level three minutes later. Jamie Vardy then capitalised on poor defending to twice put the Foxes ahead either side of Danny Welbeck’s equaliser. However Aaron Ramsey levelled, then fellow substitute Olivier Giroud’s 85th-minute goal settled a breathless encounter in Arsenal’s favour.
2017: Watford 3 Liverpool 3
Watford 3-3 Liverpool
A 94th-minute Miguel Britos leveller means @WatfordFC are unbeaten in their last 3 opening day #PL matches pic.twitter.com/JCm3pcMwb6
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 12, 2017
Stefano Okaka gave Watford an eighth-minute lead, with Abdoulaye Doucoure re-establishing their one-goal advantage shortly after Mane equalised. Roberto Firmino levelled from the penalty spot after debutant Mohamed Salah was fouled, with the Egypt international then poking Liverpool ahead – only for Miguel Britos to equalise and give Marco Silva a positive first outing as Watford boss.
2020: Liverpool 4 Leeds 3
It was a seven-goal thriller when we hosted @LUFC last season, including a hat-trick for @MoSalah ⚽️ #LIVLEE pic.twitter.com/VhTwArQtoc
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 22, 2022
Champions Liverpool were given a scare by a fired-up Leeds side playing their first top-flight match in 16 years but ultimately a Salah hat-trick proved decisive. Three times the Reds were pegged back after taking the lead with a Salah penalty, a Virgil van Dijk header and another Salah strike, with equalisers coming from Jack Harrison, Patrick Bamford and Mateusz Klich. Salah finally settled the contest with a second spot-kick two minutes from time.
2021: Brentford 2 Arsenal 0
? Flashback to last season’s opening day in the Premier League. A glorious Friday night under the lights.#BREARS #BrentfordFC ? pic.twitter.com/M2oYw8XcLP
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) June 15, 2022
Brentford announced their arrival in the Premier League in style as goals from Sergi Canos and Christian Norgaard secured a memorable 2-0 win over Arsenal. The Bees finally came full circle as their last match in the top flight, in May 1947, was a 1-0 home defeat against Arsenal.
